Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) — in fact, almost everyone who is sexually active will get HPV at some point, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are hundreds of strains of (HPV), some of which spread via sexual contact. Most of these strains don't cause obvious symptoms, but some types do cause genital warts.  Undo Tattoo Removal

Certain strains of HPV may also increase your risk for developing cancers like cervical cancer. According to the CDC, about 10% of women who have cervical HPV infections end up with chronic HPV, which increases the risk of cervical cancer.

If you're sexually active, there's a strong chance you'll come into contact with HPV at some point. But you do have options for preventing this infection — and treating any symptoms you experience. 

There's no cure for HPV, but your body will likely clear the infection on its own, says Dr. Sangini S. Sheth, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive services at Yale School of Medicine. 

About 90% of women with HPV will eventually clear the infection, though this can take between 12 and 24 months, Sheth says. 

In some cases, the virus may stay dormant and reactivate later on. You can also contract HPV again, even if you completely cleared a prior infection — similar to other viruses, like the flu. 

That's because viruses have a high likelihood of mutation as they move from person to person, which means the body may not recognize them from previous infections, says Dr. Judith A. Smith, who specializes in HPV and HPV-related cancers and is the professor and director of the WHIM research program at UTHealth McGovern Medical School.

Some strains of low-risk HPV cause symptoms like warts — and these symptoms can be treated. 

To treat genital warts, a doctor may prescribe topical medications, such as: 

Doctors can also remove lesions using liquid nitrogen or salicylic acid. 

However, getting rid of the growths doesn't eliminate the HPV infection, which means the lesions may come back, Smith says. 

Some types of HPV, also known as high-risk HPV, can increase your risk of developing certain cancers, including:

Note: Most people with high-risk HPV don't know they have an infection because the virus is typically asymptomatic. If you have a vagina, routine HPV testing can identify whether you have HPV — and whether it's high or low risk. "Unfortunately, there is no HPV test readily available for men at this time," Smith says. 

To test for HPV and check for precancers, doctors will take a tiny sample from your cervix during a pelvic exam. 

A lab will then perform: 

Treatment will then often involve removal of precancerous lesions before they turn into full-blown cancer, Sheth says. 

Procedures your care team may recommend to remove abnormal cells include:

Early detection of these precancerous spots is key — catching them early on means it's possible to remove the abnormal cells before they turn into cancer.

That's why prevention tactics like HPV screenings and Pap smears are so important. 

The American Cancer Society recommends the following age-group-based cervical cancer screening guidelines:

Keep in mind, too, that regular checkups become even more essential if you have a high risk for developing gynecological or genital cancers like cervical cancer. 

Your risk for cervical cancer may be higher if you:

Avoiding all sexual and skin-to-genital contact is the only way to avoid HPV altogether — but you can do a lot to lower your risk of getting or transmitting HPV by using condoms or dental dams. 

You can also greatly reduce your risk of HPV by getting the HPV vaccine. 

For children between the ages of 9 and 14, the vaccine series involves two shots given six months apart. Vaccination for teens and adults between the ages of 15 and 45 involves a series of three shots over six months. 

Important: While getting the vaccine before becoming sexually active can help ensure optimal protection against HPV, you can still get vaccinated if you're older and have already had sex. The vaccine helps protect against strains you haven't yet come into contact with, including those that can lead to genital warts or cancer. 

Annual health checkups are your first line of defense in protecting yourself against STIs like HPV. 

If you're sexually active, it's important to talk with your doctor about testing for STIs and screening for cancers like cervical cancer.

While most people with HPV don't have obvious symptoms and never know they have the virus, some things that might warrant a visit to a doctor include:

It's always a good idea to get checked out by a healthcare professional if you experience any unusual symptoms around your genital or anal area — especially if more than a year has passed since your last Pap test or doctor's visit. 

"If something doesn't seem right or lasts more than 6 weeks, please go get it checked out," Smith emphasizes.

If you're sexually active, you may have already had HPV at one time or another — but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop cancer. Only a few strains of HPV can cause cancer. 

Still, you can take steps to protect yourself from the virus by getting vaccinated, which helps reduce your risk of cancer and genital warts. 

Laser Permanent Most importantly, regular screenings like Pap smears and HPV tests can help your care team detect HPV and treat precancerous lesions before they become malignant and pose a threat to your health.